Friday, February 10, 2012

WinInfo Short Takes: WOA! Look Out Apple, Microsoft is Getting the Tablet Right

Paul Thurrott summarizes the best-case for Microsoft, but imho far from likely, Windows 8 ARM tablet scenario (i.e., Windows 8 ARM tablets do to the iPad what Windows did to the Mac, many years ago); I do agree, in any case, that Office 15 (especially OneNote) appears to be Microsoft’s best hope for Windows tablet momentum-building

After months of silly silence in the face of hundreds of legitimate questions from customers, businesses, developers, and the tech press, Microsoft suddenly and unexpected unveiled (most of) its plans for ARM-based Windows 8 tablets. I've got the details (of course) in Microsoft Finally Explains Windows 8 on ARM: Desktop and Office 15 Applications Will Be Included, as well as an accompanying screenshot gallery. But the big takeaway here is simple. Windows on ARM, or "WOA," as Microsoft calls it, looks like more than a credible answer to the iPad. In fact, it looks like something that will relegate the iPad to the backwater of the tablet market, much as Windows did to the Mac. And they will ship with full, but touch-enabled, versions of the coming Office 15 apps, which should be a neat final nail in the coffin of those overpriced luxury items from Cupertino. Last year, the Kindle Fire proved that a low-priced device could quickly chip away at the iPad's dominance. This year, ARM-based Windows 8 tablets are going to accelerate the iPad's decline. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. This is a big deal, people. The only question is why Microsoft sat on this for so long. Windows on ARM looks awesome.